Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

People Traffickers: Prosecutions

Thursday 30 March 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister for Immigration met to discuss increasing prosecution rates for people traffickers and small boat gangs.
  • Government reports a significant increase in all immigration prosecutions since June of the previous year.
  • Crown Prosecution Service is focusing on prosecuting small boat pilots and disrupting people trafficking supply chains.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Immigration Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question arises from the need to address increased prosecution of illegal immigration activities. The MP seeks concrete steps being taken by the government.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase prosecution rates for (a) small boat gangs and (b) other people traffickers.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Last week I met the Minister for Immigration to discuss how we can increase the prosecution rate further for those who engage in this dangerous offending. I am pleased to report that there has been a significant increase in all immigration prosecutions since the end of June last year, with the CPS bringing 260 prosecutions and so far securing 164 convictions.

Answered
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Q2 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Asylum & Refugees Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP references the importance of safe routes in tackling people trafficking, citing an all-party parliamentary group's interest in supporting vulnerable groups.

Question

Increasing prosecution rates is an important way of tackling people trafficking, but another is ensuring safe and legal routes for people seeking asylum. The all-party parliamentary group on Afghan women and girls, which I co-chair, has written to the Government looking for support for those very vulnerable groups. Does the Attorney General accept that her assessment for the Government of the Illegal Migration Bill might be better if safe and legal routes were progressed at the same time?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

I thank the hon. Lady for her work on that important APPG; she will have heard my answer to the previous question. The Government need to use every tool available to us to stop these dangerous crossings. One of those tools is prosecution, which is going well. Another tool is working closely with the French Government, and it is important to note that the French have prevented 31,000 crossings this year, which is nearly 50% up on this time last year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Attorney General did not directly address whether the assessment of the Illegal Migration Bill would be better if safe and legal routes were progressed at the same time.

How: Working Closely With French Government

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Q3 Selaine Saxby
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

The MP emphasises the government's efforts in stopping people smugglers and bringing them to justice, seeking details on CPS support.

Question

The Government are working flat out to stop people smugglers from continuing their evil trade and to ensure that they are brought to justice. What assistance is the Crown Prosecution Service providing to investigators on small boat pilots and other people traffickers?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Crown Prosecution Service is working hard on these prosecutions and will not hesitate where people are suspected of immigration offences whenever the legal test is met. It is focusing on the pilots of small boats and also on disrupting the supply chains of people traffickers and organised crime gangs.

Answered
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